WASHINGTON — No surprise here: Sikorsky will propose a derivative of its ubiquitous Black Hawk utility helicopter for the Air Force’s Huey replacement program, according to an announcement Tuesday.

The company, now a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, will offer the HH-60U, which incorporates modifications such as a rescue hoist and electro-optical sensor. The Air Force already owns three U-model Black Hawks, which have been flown by pilots and special operators since 2011, the company said in a news release.

The Black Hawk is widely considered the favorite to replace the Air Force’s UH-1N Huey fleet. The service initially tried to sole-source UH-60s for that purpose, but reversed course last year and decided to pursue a competition instead.

According to Sikorsky, the HH-60U has the capacity to transport nine fully equipped security force personnel, their equipment, and two special mission aviators — meeting the service’s troop carrying requirement.

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Black Hawks are pervasive in the U.S. military, which could provide an advantage to Sikorsky in a lowest-price, technically-acceptable competition. The HH-60U shares 85 percent commonality with the Air Force’s incoming HH-60W combat rescue helicopter. Both models will go into production during roughly the same timeframe, which could allow the company to wring out savings.

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The Air Force plans to buy 84 UH-1N replacement helicopters for ICBM security support, continuity of government, airlift and other missions. It still intends to award a contract in fiscal year 2018, with deliveries occurring as early as fiscal 2020.